October started with Fall Out Boy in the 3Arena. This was my first time bringing my new 70-200mm lens to the 3Arena so it was a great gig to get good use out of it. The stage was very high, it made me year for my first time shooting the XX there in which is was a more manageable height. Patrick & Pete kept moving from one side to another so it kept you on your toes and wrecks your head to constantly try and position yourself for the best shot. By the time you are focused, they were gone. As soon as I left the pit they had flames go off behind them for the next song. That would have been cool to catch.

Next up was The Lemonheads. I came out of this one thinking it was a bit of a waste of time. The lights were useless, overly blue and Evan Dando was hidden in shadow for most of the three songs. It was a surprise for me to see The Cribs Ryan Jarman's girlfriend, Jen, on bass. The setlist wasn't great so I didn't stay beyond my shoot to catch more of the show.

My favourite gig of the month, and possibly the year, went to Weird Al Yankovic.

I arrived without a zoom lens as it’s Vicar Street, but the dread hit me as I got nearer the venue that it could be a soundboard shoot, or from balcony. I live ten minutes from the venue but there wasn’t time to run back as I was told to meet our usher within the same amount of time. We had no pit, but could shoot the full show from the balcony or soundboard. Luckily there was plenty of other photographers and Mark Earley granted me the use of his zoom after every other song.

The gig itself was a hoot, funny from start to finish with constant costume changes, funny montages of Weird Al mentions from pop culture and various skits, add to that a brilliant live performance of the classics. Unfortunately I missed the Star Wars themed encore as I had to leg it. I fully recommend seeing him if you get the chance.

Beach House are a frustrating band to shoot indoors. They are not photographer friendly where their lights are concerned. They were one of the first official bands I shot, in the same venue at Vicar Street a few years earlier, and it was a disaster. I basically did this one to get me entry to the gig and knew the results would be rough. The lights were ever so slightly better than before, and I mean ever so. It was a good gig though.

Another balcony shoot in Vicar Street, this time I came prepared as I presumed it would be a fully seated show. I decided to leave during the third song as there was no other shots that could be got of interest and as I passed a security guard I was told that I was supposed to have been done after the second song. No one told me. I didn’t stay for the show but the first song was 100% the same as You Got A Friend in Me but with different lyrics, so it feels like I heard what I wanted to hear.